typecasting

Renowned for her role in 'Oh Humnava', actress Shruti Gholap is on a mission to shatter the mold of conventional roles like 'mother' and is calling for the film industry to embrace more challenging characters. With a strong foundation in theater, she turned personal loss into a catalyst for growth, showcasing her remarkable talent and relentless passion for acting.

Saif Ali Khan revealed that his performance in Parineeta (2005) landed him a role in Priyadarshan's Haiwaan nearly two decades later. The actor also reflected on how Omkara remains a career-defining film, crediting Vishal Bhardwaj for breaking his typecast image and bringing together talent from vastly different cinematic worlds.

Actor Paresh Pahuja prioritizes emotional survival and artistic curiosity over career predictability, admitting that rejecting roles has cost him opportunities. He believes acting requires significant emotional investment, making excitement more crucial than financial security. Pahuja chooses to wait for fulfilling projects rather than fall into creative repetition, emphasizing that life is too short for predictable patterns.

Mallhar Thakar ventures into a new territory with 'Dharpakad', India's first Gujarati film on the 'Digital Arrest' scam. He discusses his exciting collaboration with co-star Shruhad Goswami and his deliberate choice to take on an intense role, aiming to break stereotypes in regional cinema. The film's unique, relevant subject drew him in.

Doctor-turned-actor Palash Tiwari recalls a soulful first visit to Varanasi—darshan at Kashi Vishwanath, Ganga Aarti and a sunset boat ride—while reflecting on his leap from medicine to acting and the challenges of typecasting. He also shares the thrill of working with industry veterans and how OTT platforms opened up diverse opportunities...

Ramya is conscious of taking up roles that do not typecast her. In Meesaya Murukku 2 , she plays a rooted Tamil girl, while in Anbe Diana , she plays an Anglo-Indian.

Sai Tamhankar acknowledges that her role in 'Mimi' was a game-changer for her career in Bollywood, opening doors to new opportunities and accolades. She feels that a theatrical premiere might have further enhanced its success. Tamhankar also expressed pride in Kriti Sanon’s National Award win for their collaboration and maintains a strong friendship with her.

Actor Bobby Deol, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film 'Bandar', has said that he left his inhibitions for the film, and did it "shamelessly".

Konkona Sen Sharma says that despite some progress in OTT and smaller films, big-budget movies still prioritise male heroes. After 25 years in the industry, she believes meaningful roles for women remain limited. She credits streaming platforms for change and is currently promoting her upcoming series Welcome to Khoya Mahal.

Actor Kanwalpreet Singh is making a television comeback after a four-year hiatus with Ghum Hui Yaadein.

Stepping into the vibrant world of Marathi reality television, Vishal Kotian discovered a profound connection with audiences, who were captivated by heartfelt authenticity. He shared insights on embracing flaws, echoing the tenacity of the Marathi community. Reflecting on his personal journey, Kotian revealed how reconnecting with his heritage enriched his experience while navigating the complexities of the show.

Actress Sai Tamhankar acknowledges typecasting as a significant challenge in Bollywood, often a consequence of successful roles. She finds declining similar work to avoid being pigeonholed incredibly difficult, despite having done so in the past. Tamhankar, currently in 'Matka King', remains optimistic about industry changes, believing this issue will eventually diminish. Read on to know more in detail.

Pulkit Samrat feels fortunate for directors like Bejoy Nambiar and Karan Anshuman who saw beyond his romantic hero image, offering him challenging roles. His upcoming Netflix boxing thriller, 'Glory,' required intense physical training and allowed him to explore a boxer's disciplined mindset, a departure from his earlier romantic and comedy films.

Actor Gopal Datt discusses his challenging supernatural play, 'Ankahi,' highlighting the financial hurdles of theatre. He elaborates on the unique demands of the two-hander, emphasizing the craft of embodying complex characters and his deliberate career shift towards more fulfilling roles, even if it means saying no to other offers.

As the lead in 'Udne Ki Aasha', Neha Harsora is embracing a transformative journey in her career, favoring innovative roles over the safety of familiarity. She understands that stepping out of her comfort zone is essential for true growth, prompting her to delve into unexplored dimensions of her craft.

Payal Chengappa makes her web series debut with ZEE5's sci-fi thriller 'Jerax', a significant departure from her usual 'girl-next-door' roles. She embraces a complex, immature character, finding authenticity in its rawness. Chengappa also shares insights on OTT performance, industry challenges, and the value of rejection in shaping an actor's journey.

Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni prioritizes purposeful career choices, seeking roles with depth and dignity over mere glamour. Her versatility allows her to avoid repetitive characters, embracing challenges that align with her values and personal growth. She consciously explores diverse genres and emotional arcs, ensuring freshness for audiences while staying true to her core principles and avoiding typecasting.

Archana Puran Singh, a 44-year cinema vet, says The Kapil Sharma Show (joined 2019) boosted fame but killed film offers due to heavy schedule. Turned down projects like a 25-day Scotland shoot. Netflix's Great Indian Kapil Show frees her up. Recent Toaster with Rajkummar Rao sparks hope; still typecast as "laughter queen."

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap distanced himself from acting to avoid being pigeonholed by monotonous roles, craving fresh avenues for creative expression. His commitment to artistic growth is a testament to the fluidity of filmmaking. When he decided to return, it was with a fierce determination to embrace roles that defied expectations and expanded the horizons of his craft. Read on to know more in detail.

Actress Elli AvrRam finds South Indian film sets more peaceful than Bollywood, noting a preference for quiet and efficient communication. She also highlighted the issue of typecasting in Bollywood, where actors are often confined to specific roles, surprising many with her performance in 'Malang' as a serious character.

Veteran actress Farida Jalal reflects on being typecast yet becoming the face of on‑screen love. She set a moral limit early on, stayed true to it, and still built a six‑decade career across films, TV, and OTT, proving money is easy but respect and status are hard‑earned through sacrifice.

Iconic actor Ali Asgar, best known for his beloved 'Dadi' character, opened up about the emotional impact his drag performances had on his family. He shared that his children endured bullying at school because of his female roles, prompting him to turn down similar opportunities.

Looking back at her experiences in early 2000s Hollywood, Scarlett Johansson describes it as a 'tough experience' marked by intense scrutiny of appearance and a scarcity of meaningful roles for women. Now, she finds hope in the growing array of strong, multi-dimensional characters available to female performers, a welcome departure from the restrictive stereotypes that once defined her career.

Actor Vijay Varma shares his journey from early career struggles to overcoming typecasting. Despite a Cannes premiere, he faced years of idleness and limited roles. His role in 'Gully Boy' marked a turning point, allowing him to break free from restrictive brackets. Varma is now awaiting the release of his upcoming series 'Matka King'.

Television star Arjun Bijlani prioritizes avoiding typecasting, consciously selecting diverse roles to keep his audience engaged. He believes stepping out of his comfort zone and experimenting with characters is crucial for growth and staying relevant. Bijlani has even declined projects to ensure he offers fresh content, balancing viewer expectations with surprising them.

Oscar-nominated actor Antonio Banderas has opened up about the ethnic typecasting he faced early in his career, revealing that he was once told he could only play "bad guys" because of his Hispanic heritage.

Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni was drawn to 'Tum Dena Saath Mera' for its emotional depth and focus on family values. Playing Sriti Jha's younger sister, she highlights the nuanced sisterly bond explored in the show.